Guinea Pig Veterinarian

Guinea Pigs, also known as Cavia porcellus, are exotic social rodents that originate from the Andes mountain range in South America. Because of their herding tendencies in the wild, they do best when kept in groups of two or three. Guinea Pigs that are left by themselves can become susceptible to depression and a variety of complications. Two of these large sized rodents generally require a minimum of 7.5 sq. ft. although a larger space is preferable. Cages should be well ventilated and consist of one shelter per guinea pig along with a variety of recreational equipment. On the bottom of the cage, Bedding should be made up of torn up paper, wood shavings, or premade rodent bedding. On top of being housed in a well suited cage, Guinea Pigs should be allowed to roam around the house on a daily basis. This will also give the pet owner the ability to clean any debris from the inside of the cage and replace both food and water. Food should be made up of mostly hay along with a mixture of vitamin C rich fruits and vegetables.

Common Complications:

Tumors

Abscesses

Pneumonia

Scurvy (Vitamin C deficiency)

Barbering (boredom induced chewing)

Pododermatitis/Bumblefoot (abrasion on the feet caused by improper bedding)